Near-Eye Display Optics for Multi-Depth Retinal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional near-eye displays require complex and heavy optical assemblies to adjust focus, which are cumbersome for users and increase manufacturing costs, limiting their acceptance and expansion into consumer markets, especially in augmented reality applications where see-through displays are needed.
Innovation Solution
A near-eye displaying method that enables light emitted by multiple pixels to intersect and focus at different locations using a self-emissive display with a collimator, such as a microlens, liquid crystal spatial light modulator, or flat metalens, allowing for multiple depths of field without the need for redundant optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical path is used for near eye display, then device complexity is reduced, but depth of field imaging capability is limited to a single depth
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent optical paths, each dedicated to a specific depth plane. The first optical path is configured for the first depth plane with corresponding focal length, while the second optical path is configured for the second depth plane with different focal length. This segmentation allows each optical path to be optimized for its specific depth, enabling multi-depth of field imaging without requiring a single complex adjustable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The near eye display device achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple optical paths that can simultaneously provide imaging capabilities for different depth planes. Each optical path functions as a specialized imaging channel, and collectively they provide universal depth coverage, allowing the device to display content at multiple depths concurrently rather than requiring sequential switching or complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical paths with different focal lengths are used, then multi-depth of field imaging is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional optical path (one focal length) to a multi-dimensional optical path system where each path operates in a different focal length dimension. By adding the focal length dimension as a distinguishing characteristic of separate optical paths, the system achieves multi-depth capability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms within a single path, effectively using dimensional differentiation to manage complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method reduces the need for heavy optical assemblies, lowers manufacturing costs, and provides a comfortable user experience by enabling multiple depths of field imaging without moving pixels, enhancing the usability and market potential of near-eye displays in consumer and entertainment sectors.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens group... configured with a first focal length... to transmit the first light to the eye to obtain a first focused image on the retina
Implementation Method 2
a second lens group... configured with a second focal length... to transmit the second light to the eye to obtain a second focused image on the retina
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are near-eye displaying methods and systems capable of multiple depths of field imaging. The method comprises two steps. At a first step, one or more pixels of a self-emissive display emit a light to a collimator such that the light passing through the collimator is collimated to form a collimated light. At a second step, the self-emissive display provides at least one collimated light direction altering unit on a path of the light from the collimator to change direction of the collimated light to enable the collimated light from at least two pixels to intersect and focus at a different location so as to vary a depth of field.